Friday, July 04, 2008

INTERSTATE EPIPHANIES?

I'm interested in hearing about any surprise discoveries you've encountered in travels to other states. For instance, a beer you brought back in your suitcase, a beer you traded for from someone far away, or something you found on tap somewhere that you could never get at home. These "interstate ephiphanies" are a blast, and they're what makes beer travel so much fun. My personal list of nine beers I could never find in San Francisco, but was blown away to discover in one of those 3 fashions above, are:

1. THREE FLOYDS - Alpha King (Indiana; received in a trade, and got on tap in Chicago)

I need to get into trading. Great Michigan's other than Bells for what ya got. Everything Founder's and Dark Horse makes are amazing. Hell, Anyone in the upper regions of Michigan wanna trade some Short's brews for some of the other Michigan mades that don't make it up that way often, even.

I live in Washington, and would love to trade with someone in Michigan. It's frustrating having Jolly Pumpkin out here, but no Dark Horse, Bell's, MBC, Founders, etc. But it makes drinking those all the more enjoyable when I'm in Michigan.

The surprise discovery that stands out for me is Chama River Brewing in Albuquerque. Sometimes I'm in a place, not expecting much at all, and find something great. Definitely the case with Chama River.

Another one, well off the beaten path in Washington is Winthrop Brewing Co. They had a solid IPA and a really nice barley wine. When you're more or less in the middle of nowhere, finding such a place is a great thing.